Prisoner says "let's get out of here", jumps court room dock

by emcbryde

Emma McBryde
Journalist

Although born and bred in Rockhampton, I’m still learning more and more about the people and community every day. We have a community filled with both inspirational locals and people who have been hard done by. I enjoy telling their tales and hopefully using my position to right the wrongs.

A ROCKHAMPTON magistrate was rushed out of a court room on Thursday when a frustrated prisoner jumped the glass dock that separated him from the rest of the court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Joe Aboud, another police officer, and two Capricornia Correctional Centre prison officers converged on Luke Jeffrey Jay and he was ushered back to the watchhouse.

But the 33-year-old was more than happy to leave the court room, correctly guessing Magistrate Barry Cosgrove was about to refuse him bail after police arrested him for an alleged crime spree that spanned from Townsville to Rockhampton.

Sgt Aboud said Jay stole an Xbox game from Harvey Norman in Townsville last week and tried to hide it down his pants.

When confronted by the store manager Jay pulled out a screwdriver and threatened to stab him, Sgt Aboud said.

The manager told police he saw Jay speed off in a Camry, which police later clocked travelling at 171kmh near Marlborough heading to Rockhampton.

A chase ensued, but police called it off because of heavy traffic.

A witness later spotted Jay on October 17 in the car park of Stockland Rockhampton.

They told police Jay used a battery-operated drill to remove the registration plates off a vehicle.

Sgt Aboud said when police arrived Jay had already attached the stolen registration plates to his Camry.

While in Stockland Jay allegedly stole $178 worth of toiletries from Terry White Chemist and a bottle of juice from Woolworths.

Jay represented himself in court, explaining to Mr Cosgrove he did not have a "fruitful meeting" with the court-appointed solicitor.

Jay said he would contest all his charges, which included armed robbery, three counts of theft, dangerous and disqualified driving, and evading police.

He said he came to Rockhampton with his partner and children because he was offered a mining job.
Sgt Aboud argued Jay was a danger to the community and Jay's mother had warned police he had received martial arts training.

Jay accused Mr Cosgrove of unfairly taking Sgt Aboud's word over his own before telling the prison officers "let's get out of here", and jumping the dock.

After Jay was removed from the court room Mr Cosgrove returned and refused bail.